Container structure



June 9, 1964 J. E. WRIGHT 3,136,411

CONTAINER STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J1me 1964 J. E. WRIGHT 3,136,411

' INVENTOR:

JIMMIE E. WRIGHT United States Patent 3,136,411 CONTAINER STRUTURE Jimmie E. Wright, Homewood, Ill., assignor to Armour and Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 16, 1961', Ser. No. 131,784

7 Claims. (Cl. 206-4518) This invention relates to container structure, and more particularly to containers useful in the packaging of meat products, other foods and other products.

An object of the invention is to provide container structure in which products are housed and then, upon the opening of the container, are accessible for easy removal. A further object is to provide containers which provide a maximum exposure of the product within the fully-opened containers While at the same time providing for the easy removal of the product. Yet another object is to provide container structure in which compartments are provided for cooperative action in housing the product and in exposing it for removal and in which the cover flap of the two-section package and the bottom area between the two sections provide a clean area for arranging and preparing the product by the user prior to cooking. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is shown, in illustrative embodiments, by the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying my invention; FIG. 2, a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the container in open position for displaying and for removal of the product; FIG. 3, a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the food-supporting platform removed; FIG. 4, a perspective view of a modified form of container; and FIG. 5, a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the modified form of container with the compartments thereof in separated relation.

In the illustration given in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, 1t desig nates the container bottom or bottom panel which is provided on one side with a crease or hinge 11 providing a hinged bottom segment 12. Extending upwardly from one side of the bottom panel is a side wall 13, and adjacent the wall 13 are end walls 14. The end walls 14 may be provided with cover flaps 14a. Connected to the wall 13 by the hinge 15 is a cover 16 having a latch flange 17. The end walls 14 and side wall 13 thus form on one side of the bottom 10 an inner compartment.

An outer compartment isformed about the hinged bottom segment 12 by end walls 18 and the side Wall 19, the end walls 18, when the container is open as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, being spaced from the end walls 14. Extending between the end walls 18 along the inner sides thereof, is a lift strap 20, as shown best in FIG. 3.

Within the bottom of the containg, there is a foodsupporting platform 21, as shown best in FIG. 2, the products being carried by the platform 21 and indicated by the numeral 22. When the container is in closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the strap 21) lies below the platform 21, and when the outer compartment is swung outwardly to the open position shown in FIG. 2, the strap 20 serves to elevate the platform 21 so as to display or expose the product and render it easily accessible. If desired, the side wall 19 may be partially cut away as indicated at 1%.

In the operation of the container structure shown in FIGS. 1-3, inclusive, the container may be in closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and the food products 22 may be placed upon the platform 21 with the platform overlying the fiat strap 20. Normally, the flaps 14a will extend inwardly over the product, and the cover 16 will extend over the compartments and the latch flange 17 will retain the compartments in closed position.

3,136,411 Patented June 9, 1964 ice When it is desired to open and expose the food product or other product, the cover 16 may be swung outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1 and the end walls 18 of the outer compartment swung outwardly to the open position shown in FIG. 2. In the latter operation, the. strap 20 is raised and the platform 21 is tilted to the display position illustrated in FIG. 2. For closing the container, the reverse operation may be followed, the end walls 18 being swung inwardly, thus dropping the platform 21 and the products carried thereby to the bottom of the container. If desired, the products may be placed upon the platform 21 while in exposed position and the container then closed by moving the end walls 18 inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1 and then closing the flaps 14a and cover 16 in the manner already described.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom wall 23 is provided with two hinges 24 and "25. Extending beyond the hinge 24 is a hinged bottom segment 26 and extending inwardly, of the hinge 25 is a hinged bottom segment 27. A cover 28 is attached to the hinged bottom segment 27 and the cover is provided with a latch flange 29.

The inner compartment is formed by end walls 30 and side walls 31. An outer compartment is formed by end walls 32 and side walls 33 and 34. The side wall 34 may be partially cut away, as indicated best in FIG. 5.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom 23 has two hinges so that both of the compartments maybe folded inwardly into the closed position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the space between the compartments as shown in FIG. 5 being such that when the compartments move inwardly, the, end walls 30 and 32 are closely adjacent each other. The cover 28 may then be lowered to lock the compartments in closed position.

The outermost side walls 31 and 34 are somewhat less in height than the total carton height, thus allowing easier entrance into each compartment, and also, when the compartments are folded together, as shown in FIG. 4, expose the products to view. Further, the cover 28 is preferably provided with a window 35 through which the products 22a can be viewed when folded in closed position. I

When the container is completely opened, the two foodbearing compartments move automatically in opposite directions to a vertical position, thereby exposing the food product 22a in each compartment for the easy removal of the product from the compartments. There is the further advantage that the product may thus be turned to expose a fresh surface.

In all of the modifications shown, the container may be constructed of any suitable rigid material, such as kraftboard, chip-board, manila paper, etc. The hinges may be formed by scoring or grooving the material or in any other desired manner. Preferably, the container is formed integrally from a form which is cut and then brought together and secured in the shapes illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood, however, that the container may be formed of separate parts glued together or united in any desired manner.

While in the foregoing specification, I have set forth specific structures in considerable detail for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be understood that such details may be varied Widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In combination, a container having a bottom panel provided on one side with an inner compartment and with a hinge at a spaced distance from said inner compartment providing a hinged bottom segment laterally spaced from said inner compartment, a side and end walls about said hinged bottom segment forming an outer compartment, a strap extending between the inner edges of said end wall forming said outer compartment, said strap lying upon said bottom panel when the outer compartment is folded inwardly upon said hinge, and a productsupporting platform lying upon said bottom panel and over said strap, said platform being tilted upwardly by said strap when said end walls are moved outwardly to open position.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said inner compartment is provided with a cover foldable over said inner and outer compartments to lock the same together when said outer compartment is foldedrinwardly.

3 In a container useful for the packaging of meats and the like whereby maximum exposure is obtained when the package is fully opened, a continuous horizontal bot tom panel, a side and end walls about one end portion of said bottom panel to form an inner compartment and whereby said end walls have a free end, said bottom panel being provided with a hinge at a spaced distance in a horizontal plane from said inner compartment and from said free ends to provide a hinged bottom segment, a side and end Walls about said hinged bottom segment to form an outer compartment, the side Wall being partially cut away, the height of said end walls being substantially equal to said spaced distance and said outer compartment being foldable inwardly on said bottom panel to bring the upper end of its end walls adjacent said free ends of the end walls of the inner compartment to close the space therebteween, whereby the upper edges of all said side walls then define a planar upper level of said container and said cut away side wall providing an opening over the compartments. 1

4. The structure of claim 3 in which a cover is carried by one of said side walls and has a depending latch flange for covering the planar upper level of said container'.

5. In a laterally expandable container useful for the packaging of meats and the like whereby maximum exsaid bottom segments being foldable on the hinges inwardly to bring their open ends into adjacent relation to close the space between the'compartments whereby the upper edges of all saidside and end walls then define a planar upper level of said container, at least one of said side Walls being partially cut-away to provide an opening over the combined compartments when they lie in adjacent relation.

6. The structure of claim 5 in which one of said hinged bottom segments is provided with a cover adapted to lock said compartments together when they are in adjacent contracted relation. 7

7. In a container useful for the packaging of meats and the like whereby maximum exposure is obtained when the package is fully opened, a continuous horizontalbottom panel having hinges extending transversely thereof to provide hinged bottom segments spaced apart by a central bottom portion, side and end walls enclosing said bottom segments to provide spaced apart compartments open at their upper sides, the total height of said end walls common to the same edge of said bottom panel being substantially equal to said edge of said bottom panel, said bottom segments being foldable on their hinges inwardly over said central bottom panel to bring their open ends into adjacent relation whereby the upper edges of all said side and end Walls then refine a planar upper level of said container, at least one of said side walls being partially cut-away to provide an opening over the combined compartments when they lie in adjacent relation, and a hinged cover carried by one of said hinged bottom segments and having a latch flange adapted to latch said compartments in closed position when the compartments are folded together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,595,622 Sanborn Aug. 10, 1926 1,748,256 Tinsley Feb. 25, 1930 1,953,887 Medoff Apr. 3, 1934 2,503,833 Miller 5. Apr. 11, 1950 2,759,653 Bloomer et a1 Aug. 21, 1956 3,043,487 Fowle July 10, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 490,148 Great Britain Aug. 10, 1938 

1. IN COMBINATION, A CONTAINER HAVING A BOTTOM PANEL PROVIDED ON ONE SIDE WITH AN INNER COMPARTMENT AND WITH A HINGE AT SPACED DISTANCE FROM SAID INNER COMPARTMENT PROVIDING A HINGED BOTTOM SEGMENT LATERALLY SPACED FROM SAID INNER COMPARTMENT, A SIDE AND END WALLS ABOUT SAID HINGED BOTTOM SEGMENT FORMING AN OUTER COMPARTMENT, A STRAP EXTENDING BETWEEN THE INNER EDGES OF SAID END WALL FORMING SAID OUTER COMPARTMENT, SAID STRAP LYING UPON SAID BOTTOM PANEL WHEN THE OUTER COMPARTMENT IS FOLDED INWARDLY UPON SAID HINGE, AND PRODUCTSUPPORTING PLATFORM LYING UPON SAID BOTTOM PANEL AND OVER SAID STRAP, SAID PLATFORM BEING TILTED UPWARDLY BY SAID STRAP WHEN SAID END WALLS ARE MOVED OUTWARDLY TO OPEN POSITION. 